David Hogg, 16, hails from Charlotte, North Carolina — and he has spent the last several weeks fighting off attention that was meant for David Hogg, 17, the vocal gun control activist who emerged following the Parkland school shooting.
The younger Hogg describes himself on Twitter as a conservative college student who just wants to be able to buy a car. “I’m David Hogg. Not THAT one. I am THIS one. 16, college student (4.39 GPA), giver, volunteer, hard worker. Saving for a car & my college degree. Conservative.”
His mother shared a video in which Hogg described the harassment his family has endured in the weeks since the Parkland shooting and articulated his own position on the Second Amendment and school safety.
“I do believe in the Second Amendment because that’s one of the things that sets this nation apart from so many others that have collapsed. Not having the Second Amendment has had things like the Holocaust happen, states have turned into communist nations, and have been taken over by terrorist organizations because they didn’t have a Second Amendment right that protected their guns.”
Ironic @davidhogg111 that you think others are bullying u. MY David Hogg, 16, ALREADY in college, PRO 2nd Amendment is getting harassed because of mistaken identity. You can’t be on every news channel & get upset if someone disagrees with your agenda. A good debate has TWO sides. pic.twitter.com/MTabkmumWj
— TraciHogg (@TraciMHogg) March 29, 2018
Hogg’s mother called attention to the fact that Parkland student David Hogg complained about being attacked by people like Fox News host Laura Ingraham (who has now lost more than a dozen advertisers thanks to Hogg’s latest boycott demands), saying that he had no right to complain about people pushing back when he had chosen to put himself in the public eye.
While Hogg had no intention of entering the public debate, now that he has been forced to do so, he says the outpouring of support has been truly extraordinary.
I’m back on twitter. Tired of the harassment towards my family. I am THAT David Hogg. I am a proud to be an American. 16, in college, I respect the Constitution/2nd Amendment! I’m a hard worker saving for a car & to further my college education. I am not @davidhogg111.
— David Hogg (@David_Hogg16) March 30, 2018
I am overwhelmed! Between class, I read my email. Some want to do a gofundme with or without my permission! So, I started this “official” one – goal of $100 towards a car. But, messages of support are all I need! Just did it to keep others from doing it. https://t.co/qbQQtxvvmy
— David Hogg (@David_Hogg16) April 2, 2018
He created a GoFundMe page on Monday morning, citing numerous requests from people who wanted to show their support, and within two hours it had doubled its modest goal of $100. Hogg said that the money would be used to help pay for a used truck that would carry the lawnmower he uses to earn money to pay for his college degree.